Main mixer in an axial staged combustor for a gas turbine engine

ABSTRACT

A main mixer including a swirler along an axis, the swirler including an outer swirler with a multiple of outer vanes, and a center swirler with a multiple of center vanes and a swirler hub along the axis, the swirler hub including a fuel manifold and an inner swirler with a multiple of inner vanes that support a centerbody, the multiple of inner vanes interconnect the fuel manifold and the centerbody.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/371,653, filed Dec. 7, 2016.

The invention was made with Government support under Contract No.NNC14CA30C (NASA) awarded by the National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration. The Government has certain rights in the invention.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a gas turbine engine and, moreparticularly, to a combustor section therefor.

Gas turbine engines, such as those which power modern commercial andmilitary aircrafts, include a compressor for pressurizing a supply ofair, a combustor for burning a hydrocarbon fuel in the presence of thepressurized air, and a turbine for extracting energy from the resultantcombustion gases. The combustor generally includes radially spaced apartinner and outer liners that define an annular combustion chambertherebetween.

Lean-staged liquid-fueled aeroengine combustors provide low NOx andparticulate matter emissions, but may be prone to combustioninstabilities.

SUMMARY

A main mixer according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment of thepresent disclosure can include a swirler along an axis; and a swirlerhub along the axis, the swirler hub having a fuel manifold and acenterbody, the centerbody forms an inner surface of a contoured annularmixer passage, and an inner surface of the swirler forms an outersurface of the contoured annular mixer passage

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that an innersurface of the centerbody is coated with a thermal barrier coatings(TBC).

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that thecenterbody includes a fuel manifold and an inner swirler with a multipleof inner vanes that support the centerbody, the multiple of inner vanesinterconnect the fuel manifold and the centerbody.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that theswirler includes an outer swirler with a multiple of outer vanes, and acenter swirler with a multiple of center vanes.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that thecenterbody of the swirler hub forms a non-circular inner surface of thecontoured annular mixer passage and an inner diameter of the swirlerforms a non-circular outer surface of the contoured annular mixerpassage.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that an outersurface of the centerbody of the swirler hub forms a multiple of lobesof the contoured annular mixer passage and an inner diameter of theswirler forms a multiple of lobes of the contoured annular mixerpassage.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that an outersurface of the centerbody of the swirler hub forms an elliptical shapeand an inner diameter of the swirler forms an elliptical shape.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that thecenterbody of the swirler hub is offset from the axis.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that an outersurface of the centerbody of the swirler hub forms a non-circular innersurface of the contoured annular mixer passage and an inner diameter ofthe swirler forms a non-circular outer surface of the contoured annularmixer passage.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that an outersurface of the centerbody of the swirler hub forms a multiple of lobesof the contoured annular mixer passage and an inner diameter of theswirler forms a multiple of lobes of the contoured annular mixerpassage.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that an outersurface of the centerbody of the swirler hub forms an elliptical shapeand an inner diameter of the swirler forms an elliptical shape.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that an innersurface of the swirler includes an aperture on a windward side thereof.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that an innersurface of the swirler includes a flat on a windward side thereof.

A main mixer according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment of thepresent disclosure can include a swirler along an axis; and a swirlerhub including a fuel manifold and an inner swirler with a multiple ofinner vanes that support a centerbody, the multiple of inner vanesinterconnect the fuel manifold and the centerbody, the centerbody offsetfrom the axis.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that an innersurface of the swirler includes an aperture on a windward side thereof.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that an innersurface of the swirler includes a flat on a windward side thereof.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that the fuelmanifold is located along the axis.

A main mixer according to one disclosed non-limiting embodiment of thepresent disclosure can include a swirler including an outer swirler witha multiple of outer vanes, and a center swirler with a multiple ofcenter vanes; and a swirler hub including a fuel manifold and an innerswirler with a multiple of inner vanes that support a centerbody, themultiple of inner vanes interconnect the fuel manifold and thecenterbody, an outer surface of the centerbody and an inner diameter ofthe swirler forms a non-circular annular mixer passage.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that thecenterbody includes a multiple of effusion/film cooling passagesarranged in a circular distribution through an upstream wall of thecenterbody to extend through a sidewall and form non-circular exits.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure may include that thecenterbody includes a multiple of impingement cooling passages arrangedin a circular distribution in the upstream wall of the centerbody.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in variouscombinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise.These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will becomemore apparent in light of the following description and the accompanyingdrawings. It should be understood, however, the following descriptionand drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various features will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the disclosed non-limitingembodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can bebriefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-section of an example gas turbine enginearchitecture;

FIG. 2 is an expanded longitudinal schematic sectional view of aRich-Quench-Lean combustor with a single fuel injection system that maybe used with the example gas turbine engine;

FIG. 3 is a perspective partial longitudinal sectional view of thecombustor section;

FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the combustorsection which illustrates a forward axial pilot fuel injection systemand a downstream radial fuel injections system according to onedisclosed non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective partial sectional view of a main mixer, viewedlooking upstream, according to another disclosed non-limitingembodiment;

FIG. 6 is an upstream perspective view of the main mixer of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 7 is a downstream view of the swirler of the main mixer of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the swirler of the main mixer of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an aft view of the centerbody of the main mixer of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the swirler hub of the main mixer ofFIG. 5 ;

FIG. 11 is a downstream view of the main mixer of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 12 is an upstream view of the main mixer of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the swirler hub of the main mixer accordingto another disclosed non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the swirler hub of the main mixer accordingto another disclosed non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the swirler hub of the main mixer accordingto another disclosed non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a front view of the swirler hub of the main mixer accordingto another disclosed non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the swirler hub of the main mixer accordingto another disclosed non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the swirler hub of the main mixer accordingto another disclosed non-limiting embodiment; and

FIG. 19 is a front view of the swirler hub of the main mixer accordingto another disclosed non-limiting embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a gas turbine engine 20. The gasturbine engine 20 is disclosed herein as a two-spool turbo fan thatgenerally incorporates a fan section 22, a compressor section 24, acombustor section 26 and a turbine section 28. The fan section 22 drivesair along a bypass flowpath while the compressor section 24 drives airalong a core flowpath for compression and communication into thecombustor section 26 then expansion through the turbine section 28.Although depicted as a turbofan in the disclosed non-limitingembodiment, it should be understood that the concepts described hereinare not limited to use with turbofans as the teachings may be applied toother types of turbine engines such as a turbojets, turboshafts, andthree-spool (plus fan) turbofans wherein an intermediate spool includesan intermediate pressure compressor (“IPC”) between a Low PressureCompressor (“LPC”) and a High Pressure Compressor (“HPC”), and anintermediate pressure turbine (“IPT”) between the high pressure turbine(“HPT”) and the Low pressure Turbine (“LPT”).

The engine 20 generally includes a low spool 30 and a high spool 32mounted for rotation about an engine central longitudinal axis Arelative to an engine static structure 36 via several bearing structures38. The low spool 30 generally includes an inner shaft 40 thatinterconnects a fan 42, a low pressure compressor (“LPC”) 44 and a lowpressure turbine (“LPT”) 46. The inner shaft 40 drives the fan 42directly or through a geared architecture 48 to drive the fan 42 at alower speed than the low spool 30. An exemplary reduction transmissionis an epicyclic transmission, namely a planetary or star gear system.

The high spool 32 includes an outer shaft 50 that interconnects a highpressure compressor (“HPC”) 52 and high pressure turbine (“HPT”) 54. Acombustor 56 is arranged between the high pressure compressor 52 and thehigh pressure turbine 54. The inner shaft 40 and the outer shaft 50 areconcentric and rotate about the engine central longitudinal axis A whichis collinear with their longitudinal axes.

Core airflow is compressed by the LPC 44 then the HPC 52, mixed with thefuel and burned in the combustor 56, then expanded over the HPT 54 andthe LPT 46. The turbines 54, 46 rotationally drive the respective lowspool 30 and high spool 32 in response to the expansion. The main engineshafts 40, 50 are supported at a plurality of points by bearingstructures 38 within the static structure 36. It should be understoodthat various bearing structures 38 at various locations mayalternatively or additionally be provided.

With reference to FIG. 2 , the combustor section 26 generally includes acombustor 56 with an outer combustor liner assembly 60, an innercombustor liner assembly 62 and a diffuser case module 64. The outercombustor liner assembly 60 and the inner combustor liner assembly 62are spaced apart such that a combustion chamber 66 is definedtherebetween. The combustion chamber 66 is generally annular in shape.

The outer combustor liner assembly 60 is spaced radially inward from anouter diffuser case 64-O of the diffuser case module 64 to define anouter annular plenum 76. The inner combustor liner assembly 62 is spacedradially outward from an inner diffuser case 64-I of the diffuser casemodule 64 to define an inner annular plenum 78. It should be understoodthat although a particular combustor is illustrated, other combustortypes with various combustor liner arrangements will also benefitherefrom. It should be further understood that the disclosed coolingflow paths are but an illustrated embodiment and should not be limitedonly thereto.

In this example, the combustor liner assemblies 60, 62 contain thecombustion products for direction toward the turbine section 28. Eachcombustor liner assembly 60, 62 generally includes a respective supportshell 68, 70 which supports one or more liner panels 72, 74 mounted to ahot side of the respective support shell 68, 70. Although a dual wallliner assembly is illustrated, a single-wall liner may also benefitherefrom.

Each of the liner panels 72, 74 may be generally rectilinear andmanufactured of, for example, a nickel based super alloy, ceramic orother temperature resistant material and are arranged to form a linerarray. The liner array includes a multiple of forward liner panels 72Aand a multiple of aft liner panels 72B that are circumferentiallystaggered to line the hot side of the outer shell 68 (also shown in FIG.3 ). A multiple of forward liner panels 74A and a multiple of aft linerpanels 74B are circumferentially staggered to line the hot side of theinner shell 70 (also shown in FIG. 3 ).

The combustor 56 further includes a forward assembly 80 immediatelydownstream of the compressor section 24 to receive compressed airflowtherefrom. The forward assembly 80 generally includes an annular hood82, a bulkhead assembly 84, a multiple of forward fuel nozzles 86 (oneshown) and a multiple of swirlers 90 (one shown). The multiple of fuelnozzles 86 (one shown) and the multiple of swirlers 90 (one shown)define a fuel injection system 93 for a Rich-Quench-Lean (RQL) combustorthat directs the fuel-air mixture into the combustor chamber generallyalong an axis F. The fuel injection system 93, in this embodiment, isthe only fuel injection system.

The bulkhead assembly 84 includes a bulkhead support shell 96 secured tothe combustor liner assemblies 60, 62, and a multiple ofcircumferentially distributed bulkhead liner panels 98 secured to thebulkhead support shell 96. The annular hood 82 extends radially between,and is secured to, the forwardmost ends of the combustor linerassemblies 60, 62. The annular hood 82 includes a multiple ofcircumferentially distributed hood ports 94 that accommodate therespective forward fuel nozzles 86 and direct air into the forward endof the combustion chamber 66 through a respective swirler 90. Eachforward fuel nozzle 86 may be secured to the diffuser case module 64 andproject through one of the hood ports 94 and through the respectiveswirler 90. Each of the fuel nozzles 86 is directed through therespective swirler 90 and the bulkhead assembly 84 along a respectiveaxis F.

The forward assembly 80 introduces primary combustion air into theforward section of the combustion chamber 66 while the remainder entersthe outer annular plenum 76 and the inner annular plenum 78. Themultiple of fuel nozzles 86 and adjacent structure generate a blendedfuel-air mixture that supports stable combustion in the combustionchamber 66.

Opposite the forward assembly 80, the outer and inner support shells 68,70 are mounted to a first row of Nozzle Guide Vanes (NGVs) 54A in theHPT 54 to define a combustor exit 100. The NGVs 54A are static enginecomponents which direct core airflow combustion gases onto the turbineblades of the first turbine rotor in the turbine section 28 tofacilitate the conversion of pressure energy into kinetic energy. Thecombustion gases are also accelerated by the NGVs 54A because of theirconvergent shape and are typically given a “spin” or a “swirl” in thedirection of turbine rotor rotation. The turbine rotor blades absorbthis energy to drive the turbine rotor at high speed.

With reference to FIG. 3 , a multiple of cooling impingement holes 104penetrate through the support shells 68, 70 to allow air from therespective annular plenums 76, 78 to enter cavities 106A, 106B formed inthe combustor liner assemblies 60, 62 between the respective supportshells 68, 70 and liner panels 72, 74. The cooling impingement holes 104are generally normal to the surface of the liner panels 72, 74. The airin the cavities 106A, 106B provides cold side impingement cooling of theliner panels 72, 74 that is generally defined herein as heat removal viainternal convection.

A multiple of cooling film holes 108 penetrate through each of the linerpanels 72, 74. The geometry of the film holes, e.g., diameter, shape,density, surface angle, incidence angle, etc., as well as the locationof the holes with respect to the high temperature main flow alsocontributes to effusion film cooling. The liner panels 72, 74 with acombination of impingement holes 104 and film holes 108 may sometimes bereferred to as an Impingement Film Floatliner assembly. Other linerconstruction and cooling techniques may be used instead, such as asingle-wall liner.

The cooling film holes 108 allow the air to pass from the cavities 106A,106B defined in part by a cold side 110 of the liner panels 72, 74 to ahot side 112 of the liner panels 72, 74 and thereby facilitate theformation of a film of cooling air along the hot side 112. The coolingfilm holes 108 are generally more numerous than the impingement holes104 to promote the development of a film cooling along the hot side 112to sheath the liner panels 72, 74. Film cooling as defined herein is theintroduction of a relatively cooler airflow at one or more discretelocations along a surface exposed to a high temperature environment toprotect that surface in the immediate region of the airflow injection aswell as downstream thereof. It should be appreciated that othercombustors using an entirely different methods of combustor-linercooling, including single-walled liners, backside-cooled liners,non-metallic CMC liners, etc., may alternatively be utilized.

A multiple of dilution holes 116 may penetrate through both therespective support shells 68, 70 and liner panels 72, 74 along a commonaxis downstream of the forward assembly 80 to dilute the hot gases bysupplying cooling air and/or additional combustion air radially into thecombustor. That is, the multiple of dilution holes 116 provide a directpath for airflow from the annular plenums 76, 78 into the combustionchamber 66. In other example combustors the fuel/air mixture in thecombustor does not require dilution, and such a combustor may notrequire dilution holes.

With reference to FIG. 4 , a main fuel injection system 120 communicateswith the combustion chamber 66 downstream of an axial pilot fuelinjection system 92 generally transverse to axis F of an AxiallyControlled Stoichiometry (ACS) Combustor. Unlike an RQL combustor, wherethe dilution air leans out the fuel-rich mixture from the primary zone,a lean-burn combustor does not have a fuel-rich zone which requiresdilution. The main fuel injection system 120 introduces a portion of thefuel required for desired combustion performance, e.g., emissions,operability, durability. In one disclosed non-limiting embodiment, themain fuel injection system 120 is positioned downstream of the axialpilot fuel injection system 92 and upstream of the multiple of dilutionholes 116 if so equipped.

The main fuel injection system 120 generally includes an outer fuelinjection manifold 122 (illustrated schematically) and/or an inner fuelinjection manifold 124 (illustrated schematically) with a respectivemultiple of outer fuel nozzles 126 and a multiple of inner fuel nozzles128. The outer fuel injection manifold 122 and/or inner fuel injectionmanifold 124 may be mounted to the diffuser case module 64 and/or to theshell 68, 70, however, various mount arrangements may alternatively oradditionally provided.

Each of the multiple of outer and inner fuel nozzles 126, 128 arelocated within a respective mixer 130, 132 to mix the supply of fuelinto the pressurized air within the diffuser case module 64 as it passesthrough the mixer to enter the combustion chamber 66. As defined herein,a “mixer” as compared to a “swirler” may generate, for example, zeroswirl, a counter-rotating swirl, a specific swirl which provides aresultant swirl or a residual net swirl which may be further directed atan angle. It should be appreciated that various combinations thereof mayalternatively be utilized.

The main fuel injection system 120 may include only the radially outerfuel injection manifold 122 with the multiple of outer fuel nozzles 126;only the radially inner fuel injection manifold 124 with the multiple ofinner fuel nozzles 128; or both (shown). Alternatively, the main fuelinjection system 120 may only be located in the bulkhead assembly 84. Itshould be appreciated that the main fuel injection system 120 mayinclude single sets of outer fuel nozzles 126 and inner fuel nozzles 128(shown) or multiple axially distributed sets of, for example, relativelysmaller fuel nozzles.

With reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 , each of the multiple of outer andinner fuel nozzles 126, 128 are respectively located within theassociated mixer 130, 132 to each form an annular main mixer 200 (oneshown). Each annular main mixer 200 generally includes a swirler body202 (FIGS. 7 and 8 ) and a swirler hub 204 (FIGS. 9 and 10 ) along acommon main mixer axis X (FIGS. 11 and 12 ).

The swirler hub 204 generally includes a fuel manifold 210, and an innerswirler 212 with a multiple of inner vanes 214 that supports acenterbody 216. The inner vanes 214 may or may not have an aerodynamicaspect and thus may be more particularly described as struts orattachment points. The outer surface 206 of the centerbody 216 forms aninner diameter of an annular mixer passage 208 while an inner diameter209 of the swirler forms an outer diameter of the annular mixer passage208. In one example, a ratio of the gap height of the annular mixerpassage 208 to the swirler hub 204 radius ranges from 0.2 to 1.2. Theapex (stagnation-point) and the attachment points for the swirler hub204 are in a pure air stream passing through the center of hub 204,which because of the absence of fuel, precludes the possibility offlameholding and overheating of the swirler hub 204.

The swirler body 202 includes an outer swirler 218 with a multiple ofouter vanes 220, and a center swirler 222 with a multiple of centervanes 224. The outer swirler 218 defines a diameter generally largerthan the annular mixer passage 208 diameter. That is, the inner diameter209 decreases downstream of the outer swirler 218.

In one embodiment, the multiple of outer vanes 220 are formed tocounter-rotate with the multiple of center vanes 224 and to co-rotatewith respect to the inner vanes 214 if they impart swirl. The airflowfrom the inner swirler 212 enhances mixing by providing a shear layer toincrease fuel jet penetration as well as minimize or eliminate the lowvelocity region associated with airflow swirl and fuel jets. In oneexample, air flow from inner swirler takes 20% to 45% of total mainmixer air flow, the center swirler takes 30% to 40% of total main mixerair flow, and outer swirler takes 30% to 50% of total main mixer airflow and the cross sectional area from where the inner air meets the airflow from center and outer to the mixer exit generally remain constantsor slightly converging.

The multiple of inner vanes 214 interconnect the fuel manifold 210 andthe centerbody 216 (FIG. 10 ) to define an unfueled annular air passage217. The unfueled annular air passage 217 avoids burning (nooverheating) upstream of the multiple of inner vanes 214 and/or upstreamof the cooling features of the centerbody 216.

The fuel manifold 210 includes a downstream section 230 with a multipleof fuel jets 232 that extend through an outer surface 234 of the fuelmanifold 210. The multiple of fuel jets 232 may form an angle withrespect to the center main mixer axis X of the mixer or may be otherwiseoriented and/or arranged. The angle from where the inner air meets theair flow from center and outer to the mixer exit ranges from 0 to 30degrees. The multiple of fuel jets 232 thereby inject fuel generallyoutward into the airflow downstream of the outer swirler 218 and thecenter swirler 222.

The centerbody 216 may be a conical, frustro-conical, cylindrical, orother shape. The centerbody 216 may include a first multiple ofeffusion/film cooling passages 240 and a second multiple ofeffusion/film cooling passages 242 (FIG. 6 ). The first multiple ofeffusion/film cooling passages 242 may include inlets 241 arranged in acircular distribution in an upstream wall 250 (FIG. 6 ) of thecenterbody 216 to define circular exits 244. The multiple ofeffusion/film cooling passages 242 may also include inlets 243 (FIG. 6 )arranged in a circular distribution in the upstream wall 250 of thecenterbody 216 and extend through a sidewall 246 to form non-circularexits 248. That is, the second multiple of effusion/film coolingpassages 242 extend through the sidewall 246 to exit obliquely throughan interior of the centerbody 216. It should be appreciated that otherhole shapes and locations could also be employed other than theillustrated round holes in circular patterns.

An inner surface 260 of the centerbody 216 may be coated with a thermalbarrier coatings (TBC). The TBC is typically a ceramic materialdeposited on a bond coat to form what may be termed a TBC system. Bondcoat materials widely used in TBC systems include oxidation-resistantoverlay coatings such as MCrAlX (where M is iron, cobalt and/or nickel,and X is yttrium or another rare earth element), and diffusion coatingssuch as diffusion aluminides that contain aluminum intermetallics.Ceramic materials and particularly binary yttria-stabilized zirconia(YSZ) are widely used as TBC materials because of their high temperaturecapability, low thermal conductivity, and relative ease of depositionsuch as by air plasma spraying (APS), flame spraying such ashyper-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF), physical vapor deposition (PVD) andother techniques.

The multiple of impingement cooling passages 240 provide backsideimpingement cooling in the center region and backside convective coolingaway from the center region. In one example, typical impingement andconvective cooling velocity ranges from 50 to 150 m/sec for cooling, orto minimize flame propagation upstream thereof. The second multiple ofeffusion/film cooling passages 242 provide additional convective coolingto generate film cooling along the inner surface 260. The flow from thesecond multiple of effusion/film cooling passages 242 may have atangential angle to the inner surface to provide swirling cooling flow.In one example, total cooling flow utilizes less than 1% of combustorchamber cooling flow. Fuel injection within the mixer lowers thetemperature of the backside cooling flow, providing further coolingbenefit.

The integral annular main mixer 200 provides for stable and robustanchoring/flameholding of the main zone reacting jet, which facilitatesgood combustion efficiency, improved dynamic stability, prevention ofintermittent flame lift-off, and potential mitigation of combustiondynamics. Further, the integral annular main mixer 200 enhances flamestability by contact with burned gases in these regions. Fuel shiftingor fuel biasing can be used to create a richer F/A mixture at a specificlocation where the flame anchoring is desired. Fuel shifting and fuelbiasing for a liquid-fueled aero engine axially-staged lean-leancombustor configuration may be provided by radial fuel re-distributionwithin the swirler, and/or non-uniform circumferential distributionwithin or with respect to the swirler. Fuel shifting may also be appliedbetween one swirler or mixer and another, or between sets of swirlers ormixers.

With reference to FIG. 13 , an integral annular main mixer 200A inaccords with another disclosed non-limiting embodiment is of a lobedshape 300. That is, the outer surface 206A of the center section 216Aforms a non-circular inner surface of the annular mixer passage 208Awhile an inner diameter 209A of the swirler body 202A forms an outersurface of the annular mixer passage 208A.

With reference to FIG. 14 , an annular main mixer exit passage 208B inaccords with another disclosed non-limiting embodiment is of anelliptical shape 400. With reference to FIG. 15 , an annular main mixerexit passage 208C in accords with another disclosed non-limitingembodiment is of a contoured shape 500. Various other shapes mayalternatively or additionally be provided. That is, the annular mixerpassage 208 need not be circular or coaxial with the main mixer axis Xto address addresses known ACS complications such as main mixerscalability; main mixer sooting potential; fuel nozzle count reduction;and cruise efficiency.

With reference to FIG. 16 , an annular main mixer exit passage 208D inaccords with another disclosed non-limiting embodiment includes a flatleading edge 600 on the inner diameter 209D of the swirler body 202D.That is, the flat leading edge 600 on the inner diameter 209D of theswirler body 202D is on the windward side with respect to the flowthrough the combustion chamber 66 (FIG. 17 ).

With reference to FIG. 18 , an annular main mixer exit passage 208E inaccords with another disclosed non-limiting embodiment, offsets thecenterbody 216E within the swirler body 202E to form a non-axissymmetric annular mixer passage 208E. In this embodiment, the centerbody216E is offset within the swirler body 202E toward the windward side.

With reference to FIG. 19 , an annular main mixer exit passage 208F inaccords with another disclosed non-limiting embodiment includes anaperture 800 through the swirler body 202F. That is, the aperture 800 onthe inner diameter 209F of the swirler body 202F is on the windward sidewith respect to the flow through the combustion chamber 66.

The annular main mixer 200 includes annular main mixers havingconcentric counter-rotating axial and/or radial swirler vane passages,an annular fuel plenum from which fuel is injected (preferably betweenconcentric vane passages), and a swirler hub that can take variousshapes but which together with the outer wall defines the annular mixerexit. Since the annular main mixer 200 is the main-stage in an ACScombustor, a pilot is not required, and is not included in the mixer,and bulk swirl is minimal and not required, thus the design andoperation is itself different from mixers used in non-ACS combustors.

The annular main mixer 200 provides for stable and robustanchoring/flameholding of the main zone reacting jet, which facilitatesmitigation of combustion dynamics, improved dynamic stability, andprevention of intermittent flame lift-off. Further, the annular mainmixer 200 enhances flame stability by contact with burned gases in theseregions. Fuel shifting or fuel biasing can be used to create a richerF/A mixture at a specific location where the flame anchoring is desired.Fuel shifting and fuel biasing for a liquid-fueled aero engineaxially-staged lean-lean combustor configuration may be provided byradial fuel re-distribution within the swirler, and/or non-uniformcircumferential distribution within or with respect to the swirler.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar references inthe context of description (especially in the context of the followingclaims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural,unless otherwise indicated herein or specifically contradicted bycontext. The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity isinclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by thecontext (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated withmeasurement of the particular quantity). All ranges disclosed herein areinclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independentlycombinable with each other. It should be appreciated that relativepositional terms such as “forward,” “aft,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,”“below,” and the like are with reference to the normal operationalattitude of the vehicle and should not be considered otherwise limiting.

Although the different non-limiting embodiments have specificillustrated components, the embodiments of this invention are notlimited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some ofthe components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments incombination with features or components from any of the othernon-limiting embodiments.

It should be appreciated that like reference numerals identifycorresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. Itshould also be appreciated that although a particular componentarrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, otherarrangements will benefit herefrom.

Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, itshould be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separatedor combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from thepresent disclosure.

The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by thelimitations within. Various non-limiting embodiments are disclosedherein, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize thatvarious modifications and variations in light of the above teachingswill fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is therefore to beappreciated that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosuremay be practiced other than as specifically described. For that reasonthe appended claims should be studied to determine true scope andcontent.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A main mixer, comprising: a swirler alongan axis; and a swirler hub along the axis, the swirler hub having a fuelmanifold and a centerbody, the centerbody forms an inner surface of acontoured annular mixer passage, and an inner surface of the swirlerforms an outer surface of the contoured annular mixer passage, whereinthe centerbody of the swirler hub forms a non-circular inner surface ofthe contoured annular mixer passage and an inner surface of the swirlerforms a non-circular outer surface of the contoured annular mixerpassage, and wherein an outer surface of the centerbody of the swirlerhub forms a multiple of lobes of the contoured annular mixer passage andthe inner surface of the swirler forms a multiple of lobes of thecontoured annular mixer passage.
 2. The main mixer as recited in claim1, wherein an inner surface of the centerbody is coated with a thermalbarrier coatings (TBC).
 3. The main mixer as recited in claim 2, whereinthe centerbody includes a fuel manifold and an inner swirler with amultiple of inner vanes that support the centerbody, the multiple ofinner vanes interconnect the fuel manifold and the centerbody.
 4. Themain mixer as recited in claim 3, wherein the swirler includes an outerswirler with a multiple of outer vanes, and a center swirler with amultiple of center vanes.
 5. The main mixer as recited in claim 1,wherein the centerbody of the swirler hub is offset from the axis. 6.The main mixer as recited in claim 1, wherein an inner surface of theswirler includes an aperture on a windward side thereof.
 7. The mainmixer as recited in claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the swirlerincludes a flat on a windward side thereof.
 8. A main mixer, comprising:a swirler along an axis; and a swirler hub including a fuel manifold andan inner swirler with a multiple of inner vanes that support acenterbody, the multiple of inner vanes interconnect the fuel manifoldand the centerbody, the centerbody offset from the axis, the centerbodyforms an inner surface of a contoured annular mixer passage, and aninner surface of the swirler forms an outer surface of the contouredannular mixer passage, wherein the centerbody of the swirler hub forms anon-circular inner surface of the contoured annular mixer passage and aninner surface of the swirler forms a non-circular outer surface of thecontoured annular mixer passage, and wherein an outer surface of thecenterbody of the swirler hub forms a multiple of lobes of the contouredannular mixer passage and the inner surface of the swirler forms amultiple of lobes of the contoured annular mixer passage.
 9. The mainmixer as recited in claim 8, wherein an inner surface of the swirlerincludes an aperture on a windward side thereof.
 10. The main mixer asrecited in claim 8, wherein an inner surface of the swirler includes aflat on a windward side thereof.
 11. The main mixer as recited in claim8, wherein the fuel manifold is located along the axis.
 12. A mainmixer, comprising: a swirler including an outer swirler with a multipleof outer vanes, and a center swirler with a multiple of center vanes;and a swirler hub including a fuel manifold and an inner swirler with amultiple of inner vanes that support a centerbody, the multiple of innervanes interconnect the fuel manifold and the centerbody, a non-circularouter surface of the centerbody and a non-circular inner surface of theswirler define a non-circular annular mixer passage, wherein an outersurface of the centerbody of the swirler hub forms a multiple of lobesof the contoured annular mixer passage and the inner surface of theswirler forms a multiple of lobes of the contoured annular mixerpassage.
 13. The main mixer as recited in claim 12, wherein thecenterbody includes a multiple of effusion/film cooling passagesarranged in a circular distribution through an upstream wall of thecenterbody to extend through a sidewall and form non-circular exits. 14.The main mixer as recited in claim 13, wherein the centerbody includes amultiple of impingement cooling passages arranged in a circulardistribution in the upstream wall of the centerbody.